Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Back in November 2023, the veterinary team at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital operated on a Macquarie River turtle to remove not one, but two fishing hooks that were embedded in the turtle's oesophagus.
That turtle has now been released back to the wild near where it was found!
It's an important reminder that there's some key things you should (and shouldn't do) around our waterways:
🎣 when fishing, don't leave hooks, line or tackle behind
🚮 take your litter with you
🐢 if you accidentally hook a turtle, cut the line and secure it to the outside of the turtle's neck (so it can't swallow it further), and contact WIRES.
Back in November 2023, the veterinary team at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital operated on a Macquarie River turtle to remove not one, but two fishing hooks that were embedded in the turtle's oesophagus.
That turtle has now been released back to the wild near where it was found!
It's an important reminder that there's some key things you should (and shouldn't do) around our waterways:
🎣 when fishing, don't leave hooks, line or tackle behind
🚮 take your litter with you
🐢 if you accidentally hook a turtle, cut the line and secure it to the outside of the turtle's neck (so it can't swallow it further), and contact WIRES.
